Bancroft's red gum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bancroft's red gum |
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| Eucalyptus bancroftii in the ANBG | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eucalyptus
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| Species: |
bancroftii
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| Collections data from AVH | |
| Synonyms | |
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Eucalyptus seeana var. constricta Blakely |
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The Bancroft's red gum, also called orange gum, is a type of tree. Its scientific name is Eucalyptus bancroftii. This tree grows only in eastern Australia, meaning it is endemic there.
It's easy to spot this tree by its smooth bark. It also has long, curved adult leaves. Its flowers are white and usually grow in groups of seven. After the flowers, it produces fruit that looks like a cup or cone.
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What Bancroft's Red Gum Looks Like
The Bancroft's red gum is a tall tree. It can grow up to 30 metres (about 98 feet) high. Its bark is very smooth and peels off in big pieces. The bark often has patches of grey, salmon, and orange colours.
Leaves and Flowers
Young leaves on the tree are oval-shaped and a dull grey-green. As the tree grows, the adult leaves become longer and wider. They are usually 8 to 20 centimetres (3 to 8 inches) long.
The flowers grow in groups of seven. Each group is on a short stem, about 5 to 20 millimetres long. Each individual flower bud is shaped like a cylinder or cone. These buds are about 10 to 15 millimetres long and 4 to 6 millimetres wide.
Fruit of the Tree
The fruit of the Bancroft's red gum is shaped like a half-sphere or a cone. It is usually 7 to 9 millimetres long and 8 to 9 millimetres wide. The fruit has a raised centre and parts that stick out.
How Bancroft's Red Gum Got Its Name
The Bancroft's red gum was first officially described in 1904. A scientist named Joseph Maiden gave it the name Eucalyptus tereticornis var. bancroftii. He wrote about it in his book, The Forest Flora of New South Wales.
Later, in 1917, Maiden decided it was a unique species. So, he changed its name to E. bancroftii. He published this change in another book, A Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus. Maiden collected the first sample of this tree in July 1895. He found it near Port Macquarie in New South Wales. The tree's name, bancroftii, honours Dr. Thomas Lane Bancroft. He helped Maiden with his research.
Where Bancroft's Red Gum Grows
You can find the Bancroft's red gum in eastern Australia. It grows from Maitland and Port Macquarie in New South Wales. It also grows north into Queensland, near areas like Tin Can Bay.
This tree mostly lives in areas close to the coast. However, it can also be found on nearby higher lands called tablelands. It grows in open forests and woodlands. Sometimes, you might even see it in low, swampy places. Other times, it grows on rocky areas on the tablelands.
